Picnic & Ponies Charity Day Tailgate

A group of ten JL Boston members at Newport Polo Grounds for Picnic and Ponies event, standing in front of a green field and blue sky

JL Boston members at Newport Polo Grounds for Picnic and Ponies 

Join us for our annual July fundraising event and social get-together at Newport Polo's All-Charity Day! Each year, we join forces with the Junior League of Rhode Island to kick off the summer with our Picnic and Ponies Charity Tailgate Day. This fun afternoon features a classic 6-chukker match, a half-time dog parade and festive socializing as we share tents with our friends from the Junior League of Rhode Island. All proceeds from ticket sales for this event benefit the Junior League of Boston's community programs. This is one of our most popular and fun events! Tickets MUST be purchased in advance. Potluck -- bring something to share! Guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages.  

Newport Polo FAQ

Q: What are the rules and customs of the sport of polo? A: The Newport Polo Spectator Guide provides some history and clarifications to what's happening on and off the field. Q: What is the dress code? A: Newport Polo explains, “attire at Newport Polo events is Newport Casual Chic. Ladies: a beautiful sundress or summer fashions, with wedges or flats, and a sun hat or fascinator. Stilettos will get stuck in the ground. Men, a collared shirt, paired with summer trousers, topsiders, and a trilby or Panama hat is always nice. Get your inspiration from our Style Album

Do's and Don'ts

DO bring a blanket or low chair for seating – high-backed chairs will block the view for others. DON’T set up in front of the white line in the grass, which marks a safety zone from the sideboards of the pitch. Horses and mallets sometimes cross those boards, so this is crucial! For that matter, DO keep your eye on the ball during play. DO feel free to bring a picnic and beverages of your choosing, but DON’T pack too much! Parking is usually a bit of a walk to the tent, and you’ll want to be able to carry everything in one trip. JL Boston will have some light snacks and beverages on-site, and there is food and drink available for purchase at the polo grounds. DO favor flats or wedges – the path into the polo grounds is gravel, and all other surfaces are grass, so narrow heels will add to the aeration of the lawn while you’re stomping divots during half-time. DO pack sunscreen – and get a second wear out of your Kentucky Derby hat! DON’T let your dog off-leash, ever. (Pups love chasing ponies, and it makes for a dramatic but dangerous scene.) DO review polo rules of play (the Newport Polo Spectator Guide has a great overview) before arriving, so you can follow the game! DO post on social media and tag us @jlboston, send photos to operations@jlboston.org to be featured on one of our pages.